Make it the anchor of a day around Seattle Center, and browse our guide to Seattle landmarks to decide what to pair it with.
The Gehry building and the Sky Church
Start outside, because the building is an exhibit in its own right. Architect Frank O. Gehry designed the 140,000-square-foot structure, and its curving, unconventional shape has made it one of the most photographed buildings in the city.
Step inside to the Sky Church, the big central hall, where one of the largest indoor LED screens in the world turns the room into a performance and gathering space as much as a gallery. Look up as you walk in, then linger a minute to catch whatever is playing.
What to see inside
The Jimi Hendrix collection
Hendrix grew up in Seattle, and this museum holds the largest collection anywhere devoted to his life and music. Browse his artifacts, handwritten lyrics, his own instruments and original photographs. For many music fans, this alone is reason enough to make the trip.
A new Jimi Hendrix exhibition has been announced to open on November 21, alongside a second new show called Puget Sound Stories. Check the museum's official website for the current exhibition lineup before you go.
Sound Lab and On Stage
Head to these two galleries when you are ready to get hands-on. In Sound Lab, try out the instruments and gear that power rock and roll. Then move to On Stage and perform in front of a virtual crowd, a reliable hit with teenagers and with adults who never quite let go of the band dream.
IF VI WAS IX
This is the sculpture people remember long after their visit: a towering guitar form made from more than 500 musical instruments and 30 computers. British exhibit designer Neal Potter came up with the concept, and sound sculptor Trimpin brought it to life. Walk around it slowly to catch all the details.
Sci-fi, fantasy, horror and games
Beyond music, wander through galleries of fantasy art, horror cinema, video games, science fiction literature and costumes from film, television and the stage. Exhibitions rotate, so the mix you find changes from one visit to the next.
The museum has deep roots in this world. A dedicated Science Fiction Museum opened here in 2004 with props, first editions, costumes and models, including famous pieces like Captain Kirk's command chair from Star Trek and the Death Star model from Star Wars. In 2012 an exhibit called Icons of Science Fiction replaced that permanent installation. To see what is on display now, check the exhibitions page on the official site.
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame
MOPOP is also home to the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame, which began in Kansas City in 1996 as an honor for writers and editors and moved under the museum's umbrella in 2004.
Since then, the honor has grown to include artists, filmmakers and entire works. Early classes featured H. G. Wells, Isaac Asimov, Ursula K. Le Guin and Mary Shelley, while later years welcomed Steven Spielberg, Hayao Miyazaki, David Bowie and J. R. R. Tolkien, along with franchises such as Star Trek, The Legend of Zelda, Doctor Who and Pokémon.
Anyone can submit a nomination, and a panel of professionals in the field makes the final picks. The 2026 class includes Lois McMaster Bujold, Tim Burton, X-Men and the silent film Metropolis.
From EMP to MOPOP
If you hear longtime Seattleites call it EMP, here is why. The museum opened in 2000 as the Experience Music Project, later added the Science Fiction Museum to its name, and became the EMP Museum before switching to the Museum of Pop Culture in November 2016. In 2025 it updated its branding to MOPOP in all capital letters.
Each new name traces the museum's growth from a music museum into a home for pop culture in all its forms.
Programs and events beyond the galleries
Look past a standard museum day and you will find a busy calendar. A few long-running programs give MOPOP a strong local following:
- Sound Off! is an annual battle of the bands for musicians 21 and under, supporting the region's all-ages music scene.
- Pop Conference gathers academics, critics, musicians and serious fans each year to talk about popular music.
- The Science Fiction and Fantasy Short Film Festival arrives each winter in partnership with the Seattle International Film Festival.
- The Founders Award has honored recording artists for their contributions since 2007.
Young people get plenty of attention as well, with creativity camps for kids, teen artist workshops, a hip-hop artist residency and Write Out of This World, an annual sci-fi and fantasy short story contest for students in grades 3 through 12. Seasonal events round out the year, including Hip-Hop History Month programming with Pacific Northwest artists.
Plan your visit to the pop culture museum in Seattle
Tickets and hours
Buy tickets online by date: pick your day on the museum's calendar to see the options and prices for that visit. The museum closes on certain dates, including some holidays, so confirm your date is available before you lock in your plans.
Opening hours can change by season and day, so check the official website for current hours and ticket prices on the day you plan to go.
Membership
If you live nearby and expect to return, consider a membership. Members get unlimited admission for a year, plus invitations to special events, guest passes and early access to ticket sales, and they reserve tickets by logging in to their account on the museum's site.
Weekend brunch and special visits
On select weekends, treat yourself to the Brunch Bundle, which combines museum admission with brunch for two. It has been listed at $100, running from 10 AM to 3 PM, though prices and dates can change. Members also enjoy occasional special events such as morning movie matinees.
Sensory-friendly days
On scheduled lower sensory days, the museum reduces light and sound across the building, a good fit if you find the usual atmosphere overwhelming. Check the event calendar for upcoming dates and the accessibility page for more support options.
